After years of preaching to Christian flocks from the pulpits, some Nigerian pastors have donned royal regalia to become traditional rulers.

Here are five Nigerian kings who were once pastors:

1. Pastor Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle:

Pastor Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Lagos emerged in 2012 as the new Olu of Ilaro and supreme ruler of Ogun state’s Yewa-Awori area.

His nomination was overwhelmingly accepted by the kingmakers following an election in which he defeated his close competitor, Adedeji Olugbenle, by a vote.

2. Pastor Gabriel Ayodele Adejuwon:

In 2017, Oba Gabriel Ayodele Adejuwon was anointed king of Isan-Ekiti (the hometown of Governor Kayode Fayemi).

He was a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and a public servant before coming to the throne.

3. Pastor Matthew Jegede:

Oba Matthew Durojaye Jegede, pastor of Deeper Life Bible Church, was anointed as the first Alahan of Ahan Ayegunle Ekiti in the Ekiti East local government area in 2020.

Oba Jegede spoke up about some of the hurdles he experienced on his way to become monarch of Ekiti state in a BBC News Yoruba interview.

When the topic of his becoming king came up, he stated that his church members were not in favour.

The monarch stated that he, too, had doubts since he believed that being a king as a Christian was against God’s design.

4. Pastor John Elaigwu Odogbo:

John Elaigwu Odogbo, a Deeper Life Pastor, recently became the paramount ruler-elect of Idomaland.

He polled 19 votes at the end of the voting by the kingmakers to defeat three others, identified as Andrew Idakwu, John Bamaiyi, and Sunday Echono, for the stool.

The 52-year-old was, on Thursday, December 30, 2021, presented by the Idoma traditional council as the Och’Idoma-elect to former Benue state governor Samuel Ortom at the government house in Makurdi.

5. Pastor Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye:

Following the death of the late Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewunmi, in December 2021, the kingmakers in the influential Yoruba town have picked Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Jesus House Washington DC, United States (US) as the new monarch.

In a video posted on social media by the Parish, Olaoye, who addressed members of the church, said it was never his ambition to become the Soun.

He said he never wanted to be a king but God spoke to him about it, and he had no option but to take a step of faith to obey God and watch what He wanted to do.

Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde, on Saturday, September 2, announced approval of Pastor Olaoye as the new Soun of Ogbomoso.

The Nation reported that the new Soun was installed on September 14, 2023. (The Nation)

•Photo Combo (L-R): Olu of Ilaro Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, king of Isan-Ekiti Gabriel Ayodele Adejuwon, Alahan of Ahan Ayegunle Ekiti Matthew Jegede, Paramount ruler-elect of Idomaland John Elaigwu Odogbo, Soun of Ogbomoso Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye

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